Hi ladies. I have a very intelligent, sweet little 3 1/2 year old who has always been advanced with his speech, and just smart as can be. I've loved listening to him develop his speech skills over the years, and he comes up with the funniest things!
The problem is, he has a 20 month old brother who apparently gets a lot of attention for his 1-3 word sentences and phrases. My older son is CONSTANTLY mimicking his brother's speech. It's almost to the point where he speaks in baby talk MORE than in the actual speech he is capable of. He'll also say things like "ga ga ga", etc. FOr instance, he'll just say "mommy, JUICE", instead of "mommy, may I have some juice please", or else he'll just chant "juice juice juice" in a baby voice. Even his 20 month old brother says "juice please". He comes across as rude (omitting pleases and thank yous in favor of one word chants like above). It's just honestly annoying, and it's also sad to not hear his true thoughts and feelings.
My husband and I, and his grandparents (who spend a lot of time with him) have made a concious effort to pay just as much attention to him and the sweet things he says as his brother. I'm very aware of trying to pay equal attention so he doesn't feel brushed to the side now that his little brother is starting to talk and develop a personality. I've also been sure to tell him things like, "mommy doesn't understand baby talk", and "babies can't go to (xyz place that he wants to go to) because it's only for BIG boys" etc.
I know this is a fairly common problem, but I have another baby due next month, and I'm worried this is going to get even worse! I would love it if anyone has suggestions to encourage my big boy to speak like a big boy!
Thanks :)
K
I assume you are Not giving him juice (or whatever) until he asks for it politely. give as little attention as possible to his baby talk. When his brother speaks well say "oh, wow you're talking like ---(big brother)" "oh wow you're starting to sound more like ....."
Interestingly, my children have been doing the same thing lately - they are twins and will be 4 in April. We also have a baby in the house, but as he doesn't talk yet, I never considered that it was coming from his brother. For example. lately they just walk up to me and say "Thirsty". I am pretty consistent in telling them that they have to say, "May I have a drink please". But after a month they are still doing it. They have also started blabbering nonsense jibberish at me when I ask them questions. I am not sure what that is all about, but when I ask what they did in preschool, I am lucky to understand what they are saying which is composed of made up words and words that just don't make sense. This morning I asked my son what he wanted for breakfast and he said "Chicken balls" and thats all he would say so I just picked breakfast. Along with this goes bursts of extremely energetic silliness. I don't really get it and its gotten frustrating, because my children also have a great vocabulary. It all started about three months ago with an awesome burst of vocabulary and an understanding of rhyming words and it has devolved to this. Hopefully since we are both seeing the same thing it is just developmental - a way of not conforming?? So far I just keep repeating the phrases I want to hear and then not getting them anything until I hear them, and when they spout the gibberish I tell them that I don't understand and that I will talk to them again when they are ready to be a big boy.
wow, I just answered another question about 3y.o behavior! It must be the day for it.....
Your son is absolutely normal! He is doing exactly what this age group does, he's mimicing & also trying to manipulate thru his silliness. Age 3 is when that really warped sense of humor pops out & is so much fun to watch! & what's interesting is that this is all a ploy to "get" something out of Mommy.....& in the end, he's winning!
Think about it.....he's getting your full attention while you are trying to discipline/redirect his speech! That's all he wants.....your attention! He sees you praising your younger child & so he does the exact same thing! Quite a smart cookie.....
This is a phase that you all will survive....& plan on repeating it when your new baby is babbling & your middle child cycles thru this too.....
As for stopping this process, instead of words from you...hold your hand up like a "stop sign" & wait for him to stop speaking. Simply say, "okay, now say it like a big boy". If he doesn't, then the conversation is over until he is ready to comply. Good Luck!
I have two children exactly the same age as yours, and my older one also mimics his younger brother. He's even perfected his intonation. Mostly, my youngest son talks to ask me for something, and then my older son mimics him. I'll give my younger son what he asks for, elaborating on his speech (e.g. You would like some blueberries, Josh? Here they are!), then I'll turn to my older son with a smile and a raised eyebrow and say "YOU need to ask me again in a full sentence". I say it in friendly voice, so he knows I'm not really mad and we are both acknowledging that HE is a big boy who can speak better. I don't think you need to worry about it ... his verbal skills won't atrophy, and when he's bored of imitating his younger siblings he'll speak clearly.
Just ignore the baby talk or ask him to use his regular words. Let him know you do not understand HIS baby talk..
Be sure to compliment him at other times, when he speaks politey and correctly.
perfectly normal! Mine is doing that same thing now! I tell the oldest that I can't understand him unless he speaks clearly, he usually changes his speach. I also explain that the little one is learning from us and they do what we do so we have to make sure we speak correctly so they will learn how to speak correctly. It won't last long, don't worry - just be consistent . . .
My kids are the same age as yours, and my older one does the same thing! I just think it is a phase they go through and that he will grow out of it eventually!
My way of dealing with it is to ignore it completely. He doesn't seem to do it much when it is just me, but more when my hubby is around!
Don't worry, your son will grow out of it!!
Good Luck!
Sounds like a phase to me. I bet he'll quit soon. My 4 yo occasionally does this too because he has a 1 yo brother and he see's the cuteness in babies.
